Three stage intracranial pressure relief valve having single-piece valve stem

Claim 2

A valve for regulating the flow of fluid from one location in the body to another location, comprising: a bio-compatible housing; a flexible bio-compatible diaphragm dividing the interior of said housing into first and second interior chambers; inlet port means for establishing fluid communication between said first interior chamber and the one location; outlet port means for establishing fluid communication between said second interior chamber and the other location; a bio-compatible valve seat carried on said diaphragm for movement therewith, said valve seat defining a fluid passageway having a predetermined minimum diameter and opening from said first interior chamber to said second interior chamber, and defining a first valving surface concentrically oriented with respect to the axis of said fluid passageway, said valve seat and diaphragm having a static position within said housing in the absence of a pressure differential between said chambers; means comprising an elongated bio-compatible valve closure member attached at one end to said housing within said first interior chamber and extending therefrom through said fluid passageway into said second interior chamber, said valve closure member being axially aligned with the axis of said passageway and defining a second valving surface concentrically oriented with respect to said axis for coacting with said first valving surface to form a flow restriction within said passageway between said first and second chambers; said second valving surface including, progressing from said valve closure member, a first portion progressively decreasing in diameter from a first predetermined diameter greater than said minimum diameter of said passageway to a second predetermined diameter less than said minimum diameter, and a second portion of finite axial extend having a maximum diameter greater than said second predetermined diameter and less than said mimimum diameter of said passageway; said second valving surface coacting with said first portion of said first valving surface when said valve seat is in said static position to close said passageway to provide a first valving mode wherein said flow between said first and second interior chambers is prevented; and said diaphragm being displaceable from said static position in a direction along said axis of said fluid passageway away from said one end of said valve closure member in response to an increase in pressure differential between said first interior chamber and said second interior chamber to cause said first valving member to successively coact with said first and second portions of said second valving surface, and successively to be axially spaced from said second portion, thereby providing second, third and fourth valving modes, in said second valving mode fluid flow occurring between said interior chambers so as to maintain a first substantially constant predetermined pressure in said first chamber, in said third valving mode fluid flow remaining substantially constant between said chambers notwithstanding changes in differential pressure, and in said fourth valving mode fluid flow occurring between said chambers to maintain a second substantially constant predetermined pressure in said first interior chamber.

Claim 3

A flow regulating valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said first valving surface is biased into engagement with said second valving surface by said diaphragm when said valve seat is in said static position to provide a predetermined threshold pressure differential at which flow occurs between said first and second interior chambers.

Claim 4

A flow regulating valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said second valving surface of said valve closure member includes an intermediate portion of substantially constant diameter and of finite axial extent intermediate said first and second portions.

Claim 5

A flow regulating valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve seat defines a frusto-conical valving surface of progressively increasing diameter along the axis of said passageway.

Claim 6

A flow regulating valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said second portion of said second valving surface is of substantially constant diameter.

Claim 7

A flow regulating valve as defined in claim 5 wherein said valve seat defines a frusto-conical valving surface of progressively increasing diameter along the axis of said passageway.

Claim 8

A flow regulating valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve closure member is of integral one-piece construction.

Claim 9

A flow regulating valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve closure member is adjustably mounted to said housing for movement along the axis of said passageway.

Claim 10

A flow regulating valve as defined in claim 8 wherein said valve closure member is threadably mounted to said housing.

Claim 11

A valve for regulating the flow of fluid from one location in the body to another location, comprising: a bio-compatible housing; a flexible bio-compatible diaphragm dividing the interior of said housing into first and second interior chambers; inlet port means for establishing fluid communication between said first interior chamber and the one location; outlet port means for establishing fluid communication between said second interior chamber and the other location; a bio-compatible valve seat carried on said diaphragm for movement therewith, said valve seat defining a fluid passageway having a predetermined minimum diameter and opening from said first interior chamber to said second interior chamber, and defining a first valving surface concentrically oriented with respect to the axis of said fluid passageway, said valve seat and diaphragm having a static position within said housing in the absence of a pressure differential between said chambers; means comprising an elongated bio-compatible valve closure member attached at one end to said housing within said first interior chamber and extending therefrom through said fluid passageway into said second interior chamber, said valve closure member being axially aligned with the axis of said passageway and defining a second valving surface concentrically oriented with respect to said axis for coacting with said first valving surface to form a flow restriction within said passageway between said first and second chambers; said second valving surface including, progressing from said one end of said valve closure member, a first portion porgressively decreasing in diameter from a first predetmined diameter greater than said minimum diameter of said passageway to a second predetermined diameter less than said minimum diameter, a second portion of finite axial extend having a maximum diameter greater than said second predetermined diameter and less than said minimum diameter of said passageway, and an intermediate portion having said second predetermined diameter and of finite axial extent intermediate said first and second portions; said second valving surface coacting with said first portion of said first valving surface when said valve seat is in said static position to close said passageway to provide a first valving mode wherein said flow between said first and second interior chambers is prevented; and said diaphragm being displaceable from said static position in a direction along said axis of said fluid passageway away from said one end of said valve closure member in response to an increase in pressure differential between said first interior chamber and said second interior chamber to cause said first valving member to successively coact with said first and second portions of said second valving surface, and successively to be axially spaced from said second portion, thereby providing second, third and fourth valving modes, in said second valving mode fluid flow occurring between said interior chambers so as to maintain a first substantially constant predetermined pressure in said first chamber, in said third valving mode fluid flow remaining substantially constant between said chambers notwithstanding changes in differential pressure, and in said fourth valving mode fluid flow occurring between said chambers to maintain a second substantially constant predetermined pressure in said first interior chamber.

Claim 12

A valve for regulating the flow of fluid from one location in the body to another location, comprising: a bio-compatible housing; a flexible bio-compatible diaphragm dividing the interior of said housing into first and second interior chambers; inlet port means for establishing fluid communication between said first interior chamber and the one location; outlet port means for establishing fluid communication between said second interior chamber and the other location; a bio-compatible valve seat carried on said diaphragm for movement therewith, said valve seat defining a fluid passageway having a predetermined minimum diameter and opening from said first interior chamber to said second interior chamber, and defining a first valving surface concentrically oriented with respect to the axis of said fluid passageway, said valve seat and diaphragm having a static position within said housing in the absence of a pressure differential between said chambers; means comprising an elongated bio-compatible valve closure member attached at one end to said housing within said first interior chamber and extending therefrom through said fluid passageway into said second interior chamber, said valve closure member being axially aligned with the axis of said passageway and defining a second valving surface concentrically oriented with respect to said axis for coacting with said first valving surface to form a flow restriction within said passageway between said first and second chambers; said second valving surface including, progressing from said one end of said valve closure member, a first portion porgressively decreasing in diameter from a first predetmined diameter greater than said minimum diameter of said passageway to a second predetermined diameter less than said minimum diameter, a second portion of finite axial extend having a maximum diameter greater than said second predetermined diameter and less than said minimum diameter of said passageway, and an intermediate portion having said second predetermined diameter and of finite axial extent intermediate said first and second portions; said second valving surface coacting with said first portion of said first valving surface when said valve seat is in said static position to close said passageway to provide a first valving mode wherein said flow between said first and second interior chambers is prevented; and said diaphragm being displaceable from said static position in a direction along said axis of said fluid passageway away from said one end of said valve closure member in response to an increase in pressure differential between said first interior chamber and said second interior chamber to cause said first valving member to successively coact with said first and second portions of said second valving surface, and successively to be axially spaced from said second portion, thereby providing second, third and fourth valving modes, in said second valving mode fluid flow occurring between said interior chambers so as to maintain a first substantially constant predetermined pressure in said first chamber, in said third valving mode fluid flow remaining substantially constant between said chambers notwithstanding changes in differential pressure, and in said fourth valving mode fluid flow occurring between said chambers to maintain a second substantially constant predetermined pressure in said first interior chamber.

Claim 13

A flow regulating valve as defined in claim 10 wherein said valve seat defines a frusto-conical valving surface of progressively increasing diameter along the axis of said passageway.

Claim 14

A flow regulating valve as defined in claim 10 wherein said valve closure member is of integral one-piece construction.

Claim 15

A flow regulating valve as defined in claim 10 wherein said valve closure member is adjustably mounted to said housing for movement along the axis of said passageway.

Claim 16

A flow regulating valve as defined in claim 8 wherein said valve closure member is threadably mounted to said housing.

Claim 17

A valve for regulating the flow of CSF from one location in the body of another location, comprising: a bio-compatible housing; a flexible bio-compatible diaphragm dividing the interior of said housing into first and second interior chambers; inlet port means for establishing fluid communication between said first interior chamber and the one location; outlet port means for establishing fluid communication between said second interior chamber and the other location; a bio-compatible valve seat carried on said diaphragm for movement therewith, said valve seat defining a fluid passageway having a predetermined minimum diameter and opening from said first interior chamber to said second interior chamber, and defining a frusto-conical first valving surface, concentrically oriented and of progressively increasing diameter along the axis of said fluid passageway, said valve seat and diaphragm having a static position within said housing in the absence of a pressure differential between said chambers; means comprising an elongated one-piece bio-compatible valve closure member threadably mounted at one end to said housing within said first interior chamber, and extending therefrom through said fluid passageway into said second interior chamber, said valve member being axially aligned with and adjustably movable along the axis of said passageway and defining a second valving surface concentrically oriented with respect to said axis for coacting with said first valving surface to form a flow restriction within said passageway between said first and second chambers; said second valving surface including, progressing from one end of said valve closure member, a first portion progressively decreasing in diameter from a first predetermined diameter greater than said minimum diameter of said passageway to a second predetermined diameter less than said minimum diameter, a second portion of finite axial extent having a maximum diameter greater than said second predetermined diameter and less than said minimum diameter of said passageway, and an intermediate portion having a diameter equal to said second predetermined diameter and of finite axial extent intermediate said first and second portions; said second valving surface being biased into engagement with said first portion of said first valving surface by said diaphragm when said valve seat is in said static position to close said passageway and provide a first valving mode wherein flow between said first and second interior chambers occurs only when the pressure differential between said chambers exceeds a predeterminded threshold level; and said diaphragm being displaceable from said static position in a direction along said axis of said fluid passageway away from said one end of said valve closure member in response to an increase in pressure differential between said first interior chamber and said second interior chamber to cause said first valving member to successively coact with said first, intermediate and second portions of said second valving surface, and successively to be axially spaced from said second portion, thereby providing second, third and fourth valving modes, in said second valving mode fluid flow occurring between said interior chambers so as to maintain a first substantially constant predetermined pressure in said first chamber, in said third valving mode fluid flow remaining substantially constant between said chambers notwithstanding changes in differential pressure, and in said fourth valving mode fluid flow occurring between said chambers to maintain a second substantially constant predetermined pressure in said first chamber.

Claim 18

A valve for regulating the flow of CSF from one location in the body of another location, comprising: a bio-compatible housing; a flexible bio-compatible diaphragm dividing the interior of said housing into first and second interior chambers; inlet port means for establishing fluid communication between said first interior chamber and the one location; outlet port means for establishing fluid communication between said second interior chamber and the other location; a bio-compatible valve seat carried on said diaphragm for movement therewith, said valve seat defining a fluid passageway having a predetermined minimum diameter and opening from said first interior chamber to said second interior chamber, and defining a frusto-conical first valving surface, concentrically oriented and of progressively increasing diameter along the axis of said fluid passageway, said valve seat and diaphragm having a static position within said housing in the absence of a pressure differential between said chambers; means comprising an elongated one-piece bio-compatible valve closure member threadably mounted at one end to said housing within said first interior chamber, and extending therefrom through said fluid passageway into said second interior chamber, said valve member being axially aligned with and adjustably movable along the axis of said passageway and defining a second valving surface concentrically oriented with respect to said axis for coacting with said first valving surface to form a flow restriction within said passageway between said first and second chambers; said second valving surface including, progressing from one end of said valve closure member, a first portion progressively decreasing in diameter from a first predetermined diameter greater than said minimum diameter of said passageway to a second predetermined diameter less than said minimum diameter, a second portion of finite axial extent having a maximum diameter greater than said second predetermined diameter and less than said minimum diameter of said passageway, and an intermediate portion having a diameter equal to said second predetermined diameter and of finite axial extent intermediate said first and second portions; said second valving surface being biased into engagement with said first portion of said first valving surface by said diaphragm when said valve seat is in said static position to close said passageway and provide a first valving mode wherein flow between said first and second interior chambers occurs only when the pressure differential between said chambers exceeds a predeterminded threshold level; and said diaphragm being displaceable from said static position in a direction along said axis of said fluid passageway away from said one end of said valve closure member in response to an increase in pressure differential between said first interior chamber and said second interior chamber to cause said first valving member to successively coact with said first, intermediate and second portions of said second valving surface, and successively to be axially spaced from said second portion, thereby providing second, third and fourth valving modes, in said second valving mode fluid flow occurring between said interior chambers so as to maintain a first substantially constant predetermined pressure in said first chamber, in said third valving mode fluid flow remaining substantially constant between said chambers notwithstanding changes in differential pressure, and in said fourth valving mode fluid flow occurring between said chambers to maintain a second substantially constant predetermined pressure in said first chamber.